Collateral Damage Daily for August 20

Mark Teixeira may have to deal with his left wrist inflammation for the rest of the year, since there is no guarantee a trip to the DL will solve the problem. He may return to the lineup soon, but it would be wise to rest him as much as possible. … Alejandro De Aza still has back pain after a rough slide on Friday night. He’s day-to-day for now. … The Carl Crawford saga continues. Some reports say he already has surgery scheduled for tomorrow, while others insist nothing has been decided. I’m leaning toward the former. … Johan Santana may be shut down for the rest of the year in order to eliminate any chance for a compensation injury to his surgically-repaired shoulder. The decision is expected today. … Brian McCann is dealing with a frayed labrum and a cyst in his right shoulder that will need to be repaired after the season. He’s day-to-day for now. … Denard Span still has pain while swinging the bat. He is not expected back for several more days. ... Eric Young Jr. left yesterday’s game with a left intercostal strain and is day-to-day for now. … Josh Rutledge left yesterday’s game with an aggravation of his left quad strain. He may need a DL stint.

Additions

Felix Doubront was placed on the 15-day DL with a right knee injury, which is somewhat convenient, since the Red Sox were looking to limit his innings. Doubront has yet to throw more than 130 innings, and he was already over 122 innings. There was also concern for arm fatigue, so Boston is being cautious. If the injury is just a knee contusion, Doubront should be available when eligible on August 25. Mauro Gomez was called up to take the roster spot.

Michael Cuddyer aggravated his right oblique strain, forcing him back to the 15-day DL on Sunday. He only missed the minimum 15 days last time, but he’s probably going to be out longer. Historically, first basemen average three weeks on the DL. Andrew Brown was called up to take Cuddyer’s roster spot.

Orlando Hudson was placed on the 15-day DL, retroactive to August 16, with a bruised left big toe. X-rays were negative, so Hudson should miss the minimum. Paul Konerko was activated from the DL in a corresponding move. The White Sox have the fewest number of player days missed due to injuries.

Leyson Septimo was placed on the 15-day DL, retroactive to August 14, with left biceps inflammation. The arm has been bothering him, which probably factored in his troubles this year. It takes about a month for relievers to recover from this, so his season could be over. Hector Santiago was called up to replace Septimo.

Nick Hundley was placed on the 15-day DL, retroactive to August 16, with a right knee contusion. To say that 2012 has been rough for Hundley is an understatement. Yasmani Grandal was activated in a corresponding move.

Starling Marte was placed on the 15-day DL with a strained right oblique. Outfielders tend to need about 10 days longer than first basemen to recover. Jose Tabata was called up to replace Marte on the roster.

Chris Getz was placed on the 15-day DL with a fractured left thumb that required surgery on Saturday. Getz suffered the injury by fouling a Chris Sale pitch off his thumb during a bunt attempt Friday night. He finished the at-bat but was removed when the Royals took the field. The earliest anyone in our database has come back from this injury is six weeks, but the Royals ruled him out for 2012. These injuries take about two to three months to heal, so he’ll be ready for spring training. Johnny Giavotella was called up to take Getz’s spot.

Subtractions

Jaime Garcia was activated from the disabled list on Sunday and made quite a statement, striking out 10 batters in eight innings during the marathon Pirates-Cardinals game. Garcia missed 74 days with a torn labrum and partially torn rotator cuff, so he’s at a higher risk of injury moving forward. Trevor Rosenthal was optioned to make room for Garcia.

Paul Konerko was activated from 7-day DL after missing nine days with a concussion. The White Sox took the additional precaution of using him only as a DH for the first few games back in order to eliminate any chances of a collision at first base or diving into the stands. Konerko had a memorable weekend, homering in his first game back and then breaking up a no-hitter on Sunday. He is not expected to have any difficulties moving forward. Orlando Hudson was placed on the DL in a corresponding move.

Ian Desmond was activated from the DL on Friday after missing almost four weeks with a strained left oblique. Cesar Izturis was designated for assignment to make room for Desmond.

Jordan Walden was activated from the DL over the weekend after missing 41 days with a strained right biceps and neck. He struck out three in one inning of work in his return. Hisanori Takahashi was optioned to make room for Walden.

Tommy Hanson was activated after missing just over 15 days with a low back strain. This is about two weeks shorter than the average stay for starting pitchers. Hanson was above average in his return on Friday and did not appear to have any ill effects over the weekend. There is fear that Hanson’s back injury will cause his shoulder to flare up again. Cory Gearrin was optioned to Gwinnett to make room for Hanson.

Scott Downs was activated on Saturday. Downs missed three weeks with a left shoulder strain, which is about half the time most relief pitchers need. Steve Geltz was optioned to make room on the roster.

Yasmani Grandal was activated from the 15-day DL on Friday after he missed just over 16 days with a strained right oblique. He may have been activated earlier than expected because of Nick Hundley’s injury. Hundley was moved to the DL in a corresponding move.

Charlie Furbush was activatedafter a month on the DL with a strained right triceps. In his first game back on Saturday, he was able to retire two batters and is expected to continue to contribute to the Mariners’ bullpen.

Scott Elbert was activated from the 15-day DL following his recovery from left elbow inflammation. Historically, relievers need about 43 days to recover; Elbert missed 24 days. Unfortunately, he still expects to need off-season surgery to clean out the elbow. On Sunday, Elbert pitched a perfect inning. Elian Herrera was optioned to make room.

Donnie Murphy was activated from the 15-day DL yesterday after missing 15 days with a left hamstring strain. He returned to the lineup on Sunday.

Emilio Bonifacio was activated from the 15-day DL yesterday after missing 15 days. He sprained the surgically-repaired ligament a little over two weeks ago, but it looks to be back to normal. Bonifacio returned to the starting lineup yesterday and is not expected to have any troubles moving forward.

Placido Polanco is expected to be activated from the 15-day DL today after missing a month because of low back pain and inflammation. Polanco will no longer be the everyday third baseman in the literal sense but is still considered the starting third baseman. Hector Luna was optioned to make room for Polanco.